6 Beauty Benefits Of Using Rice Water

Rice is a staple food in many regions, especially Asian countries like China and Japan. Given its easy availability, rice has been put to multifarious uses from liquor preparation to fertilizer manufacturing to being the most prominent feature in a number of global cuisines.

While you may be well versed with the resourceful goodness packed in this wholesome grain, what remains relatively unexplored are its beauty benefits.

It may come as a surprise to many people that even the residual starchy water that you mindlessly chuck out after boiling your rice in it contains a whole list of nutrients that can help enhance the quality of your skin and your hair.

Rice–enriched with minerals; antioxidants; vitamins B, C and E; and eight essential amino acids–is a powerhouse ingredient that not only promotes your overall health but also works wonders for your appearance.

Rice water is essentially the milky white solution that you get after soaking or boiling rice. It can be concentrated, diluted, or even fermented to tap its versatile benefits. What adds to the charm of this ingenious solution is that it’s so easy to whip up.

# Improves Hair Health

Rice water makes hair soft, strong, and healthy. Hair is made up of protein; hence, the protein in rice water is good for replenishing your hair. Rice protein strengthens the hair shaft and fills in the cracks, which can result in shiny, stronger, and softer hair.

Plus, rice water contains inositol, a type of carbohydrate that can prevent hair damage and keep it healthy and soft.Rice water can also treat hair loss by increasing the growth rate of new hair and strengthening the hair strands as they grow.

- After shampooing your hair, pour rice water diluted with plain water on your hair.
- Using your fingertips, gently massage your scalp for 10 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly with plain water.
- Apply this hair treatment 2 or 3 times a week.

# Tames Frizzy Hair

Rice water is just the thing you need for frizzy and unmanageable hair. The good amount of protein in it can deep condition your hair, making it smoother and thus more manageable. By reducing surface friction, the inositol carbohydrate in rice water makes your hair easier to detangle as well as improves its elasticity.

- Shampoo your hair and rinse it thoroughly.
- Mix 1 part of fermented rice water and 3 parts of bath water so that it remains only slightly cloudy.
- Use this mixture as a final rinse.
- Repeat this treatment once or twice a week for best results.

# Soothes Irritated Skin

Rice water functions as a soothing balm to palliate skin irritation and inflammation. In fact, the starch in rice water has been found to be especially effective in healing the dry skin lesions resulting from eczema.

- For any kind of skin irritation or inflammation, add a few cups of rice water to warm bath water. Soak your body in this water for 15 to 20 minutes, twice daily.
- For localized irritation, soak a cotton ball in cool rice water and apply it on the affected area. Repeat a few times daily.

# Tightens Skin Pores

Open or large pores make your skin vulnerable to an array of dermatological problems, such as acne and blackheads, particular so if you have oily skin. Rice water is highly effective in fighting this irritating problem. Rice water works as a natural astringent to tone and tighten your skin. In addition to minimizing the appearance of skin pores, rice water helps restore the skin’s pH balance, stimulates cell growth, and promotes blood flow.

- Dilute rice water with an equal amount of water.
- Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on your face.
- Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
- For best results, use this remedy every night after cleansing your face.

# Improves Skin Complexion

Rice water also improves your skin complexion and makes your skin healthy and flawless. It helps flush toxins out of the skin, improves skin elasticity, and reduces inflammation.

Plus, with prolonged and regular use, rice water can work as a skin-lightening agent to reduce or prevent the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation.

- Soak a cotton pad in diluted rice water.
- Apply it on your clean face like a toner.
- Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Then, massage in circular motions for a few minutes.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Do this at least once daily.

# Helps Soften Skin

Rice water is great for keeping your skin soft and moisturized. The protein in it prevents water loss, thereby keeping the skin feeling soft and supple for much longer.

Also, it contains antioxidants that help reduce free radical damage caused by aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors.

- Dilute rice water with cool water in the ratio of 1:2.
- Soak a washcloth in this solution.
- Place this cloth on your clean face and leave it for 15 minutes or more.
- Gently wash your face with the leftover rice water to get soft, smooth skin.
- Finally, rinse your face with plain water.
- Repeat this remedy once daily.